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Daily Compliance Item- 2.6.15- Current Event

Syracuse announces self-imposed postseason ban this year

Syracuse informed the NCAA of a self-imposed ban on the 2014-15 men’s basketball postseason in response to an NCAA investigation, the university announced Wednesday.

The ban includes the NCAA tournament and National Invitation Tournament as well as the ACC tournament for the Orange, a fringe team to make the field of 68 this season.

“I am very disappointed that our basketball team will miss the opportunity to play in the post-season this year,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said in a statement. “Senior Rakeem Christmas has been an outstanding member of the team for the past four years. However, I supported this decision and I believe the University is doing the right thing by acknowledging that past mistakes occurred. Our players have faced adversity and challenges before. I know they will rise to this challenge by keeping our program strong and continuing to make our University proud.”

“We are all tremendously disappointed that we are going to miss out on playing in the postseason based on issues that do not involve us,” said team captains Rakeem Christmas, Trevor Cooney and Michael Gbinije in a statement.

“However, we support our school and this won’t change how hard we will continue to work in practice and in games.”

“We are fully supportive of Syracuse and its decision to self-impose sanctions by removing themselves from any men’s basketball postseason opportunities,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said. “They’ve been cooperative throughout the NCAA process, and I commend Chancellor Syverud and the Syracuse University leadership for taking this proactive step.”

The ACC adjusted its conference tournament to reflect Syracuse’s absence. The No. 10 seed will now have a bye and begin tournament play on the second day, Wednesday, March. 11. Only two games will be played Tuesday, March 10.

The ban is a response to an NCAA investigation the school said it initiated when it self-reported potential violations within the athletics department in 2007.

Syracuse said no current player is involved in the investigation and that the conduct in the case did not occur after 2012.

In October, Boeheim and other Syracuse officials attended a hearing in front of the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions.

Chancellor Syverud wrote a letter to alumni to give advanced notice.

“I am disappointed for our current men’s basketball players who must shoulder this postseason ban as a result of things that occurred years ago,” Syverud wrote. “I also recognize that not participating in postseason play will be disappointing for you and other Orange supporters. However, we look forward to moving past this matter and I am confident the men’s basketball program will be strong and successful both on the court and in the classroom in the years ahead.”